Cone & Thread Manual or Machinery (Special Tools)

Introduction

In this guide has been taken as reference the Autoclave Engineering company (Parker)

Safe, efficient operation of any product is inherently dependent upon its proper installation. In this section the preparation and assembly of low, medium and high pressure connections is explained. Also covered is the assembly procedure for medium and high pressure Cone & Thread Connections as well as anti-vibration collet gland assemblies.

There are two type of tools for tubings makeup, manually or by machine see photo below:

 connection type

There are a lot of connections type; clearly those more than 9/16 it is not possible with manual tool, see table in Figure 5

The Priority before starting the activity must be identified correctly, which is your tubing ( diameter, thickness, etc)

Tubing should be measured accurately and cut to length. Measure the distance from fitting to fitting. See figure 9 for an engagement (assembly) allowance to include in the cut length. Also, an additional 1/16" finish allowance is required per end to square up tube ends. The total cut length will be the sum of the fitting to fitting distance, the engagement allowance and the finish allowances see Figure 9.

Figure 2a assembled tubing

Manual  Thread/Conic

The hand machine it is similar with electrical one except larger diameters are not included because more force is required and therefore by hand it is not possible.

For manual machine the diameters of tubes available are 1/4", 3/8", 9/16". There are two kits, one for medium and the other one for high pressure. Below the photo with all details (only internal parte change, the tool itself is the same for both rating).

Figure 3 and 4 below shows the manual tools and Threading tools

 Also can be buy a singol componenent as esplaned on the table in figure 5 below

Figure 5 Table with all components and part number

Parker Autoclave Engineers offers coning kits as well as con­ing and threading tool kits. Each kit consists of the required tools and other items necessary for your coning or coning and threading needs. All kit items are placed in a hand-carry tool case with top tray. The coning tools supplied in the tool kits come complete with the support arm and chip/oil reservoir. Below the datails

 Medium pressure kit P/N KMCT-MT that include

• Coning tool with support arm and reservoir
• 1/4, 3/8 and 9/16” collets
• 1/4, 3/8 and 9/16” blades (9/16” blades for 20,000 psi tubing only)
• 1/4, 3/8 and 9/16” guide bushing (related to Threading tool)
• 1/4, 3/8 and 9/16” dies (related to Threading tool)

High pressure kit P/N KMCT-HT that include

• Coning tool with support arm and reservoir
• 1/4, 3/8 and 9/16” collets
• 1/4, 3/8 and 9/16” blades ( 9/16” blades for 60,000 psi tubing only and 5/16” collets not included)
• 1/4, 3/8 and 9/16” guide bushing (related to Threading tool)
• 1/4, 3/8 and 9/16” dies (related to Threading tool)

With this two part number it's possible to order all what you see in Figure 6 below 

Figure 6 Special tools kit

Preparation of the Coning tool

Disassembly

	Remove the "cutter support feed nut"  by unscrewing it from the base structure.
	Use the supplied hexagonal offset screwdriver to loosen the headless set screw that keeps the crank handle in its position.
	Remove the crank handle, knurled nut and needle bearing by pulling from the blanking die holder.
	Loosen the 4 headless set screws in the blanking die holder to disassemble the blanking dies. Then remove the blanking from the blanking die holder.
	Unscrew the collet nut from the base structure. Then push the collet chuck out of the tensioning nut.
	Install by pushing the collet into the collet nut. Select the desired model based on the pipe diameter, as shown in figure 5

 Assembly

	Slightly grease the collet nut and collet chuck and screw them onto the base structure.
	Insert the blanking dies into the blanking die holder, as shown in the illustration. Make sure that the label matches your size tube; see Figure 5
	Use the hexagonal offset screwdriver to slightly tighten the headless set screws to align the blanking dies. Make sure first to tighten the headless set screws located opposite the cutting edges (see the sequence in the illustration). Thus, the blanking dies with cutting edges fit closely to the blanking die holder. Otherwise, the processed taper surface may be uneven.
	Install back the handle. Align the manual handle, and blanking die holder in such a manner that the headless set screw of the manual handle pushes onto the key area at the shaft of the blanking die holder. Press the components together by hand and tighten the headless set screw. Avoid any tangible longitudinal play between the manual handle, needle bearings, knurled nut and blanking die holder. A clearance between the components may result in an uneven taper surface.
	Lubricate the threads of the knurled nut and base structures (We recommend the use of solid lubricant. such as copper paste).
	Lubricate the running surface of the blanking die holder.
	Insert the blanking die holder into the base structure and screw the knurled nut on with a few rotations. Now the coning tool is ready for use.

 Preparation of the threading tool

 Assembly

	Screw the handles into the tool body.
	Insert the die stock and guide bush into the tool body and secure with headless set screws. Align the components in such a manner that the headless set screws grip into the recesses.

 Preparation conic on the Tubing

Step 1

Figure 7 Cutting pipework to length

Cut tubing to length and square off the end as close to the required length as possible. Allow extra length for proper engagement into the connection as listed in Table 1 in Figure 8 below.

Figure 9 reference tableEngagement Allowance

 A small amount of extra length should be allowed to finish the end of the tube, but excessive amounts require additional cutting time and premature blade wear.

Note: When cutting tubing with abrasive cut off wheel, tubing should not be over heated effecting material properties.

 Step 2

Figure 8 Position tubing into tool housing

Place the coning tool housing (or optional support arm), without the feed nut/cutter support assembly, in a vise. The vise should be equipped with soft jaws, and the housing should be placed in the vise to allow lubricant to flow to the cutters and cone.

Slide the tubing through the collet until the end of the tube appears in the coning tool housing window. Line the end of the tube with the edge of the window and tighten the collet nut firmly in place using the collet nut wrench (see Table 2).

In order to protect the collet nut it is better to use the original spanner supplied by Autoclave.

Rotate the "Cutter Support Feed" until from the "house window", it is possible to see the cutter touching slow the tubing. A very important thing to avoid damaging the conic blades

Step 3

Figure 9 conic blades lubrification

Apply cutting oil through the lubricant opening at the end of the cutter holder or directly through the housing window. A medium-weight high sulphur content cutting fluid is recommended. Use the cutting oil freely during the coning operation. The oil avoid to damage easily the conic blades.

The distance the feed nut travels from it's start position can be used to gauge the amount of travel to properly cone the tube. The amount of travel is shown in the table in Figure 10 and is labeled “Cone Length”.

Figure 10 distance the feed nut travels

Another method to determine proper cone length is to count the number of turns of the feed nut. The number of turns is listed in Table in Figure 10 under the heading “Number of Turns”. This includes enough advancement of the feed nut to face off the tube. This assumes the tube is cut to length in accordance with these instructions. The feed nut is supplied with a position indicator (drilled hole) to help determine the number of turns.

 Rotate the handle in a clockwise direction while simultaneously slowly turning the feed nut in a clockwise direction. Rotate the feed nut slowly and evenly to smoothly cone the tube. Loosen collet nut, remove tubing and visually inspect the cone. Use deburring tool to remove any burr on inside edge of tube after coming. The cone must be without any mismatches for all the diameter of the tube.

Manual Threading

Figure 11 Preparation of the thread

Clamp the tubing in a soft jaw vice. Do not over-tighten. Slide the threading tool over the tube through the guide bushing.

 Note:  Apply a medium-weight, high-sulphur cutting oil to the threading area.

Apply pressure to the top of the threading tool to start the cutting action.

Figure 11 Thread length

Apply pressure to the top of the threading tool to start the cutting action. The threads are left-handed, so turn the threader counterclockwise to thread the tube. The threading tool may need to be periodically rotated clockwise to break and discharge metal chips. Apply lubricant freely during the threading process.

Note The lead in chamfer (larger chamfer) on the die flutes toward guide bushing.

Continue to rotate the die holder counterclockwise while applying cutting oil generously throughout the process until threads of the following lengths have been cut. See Table in Figure 12 below.

Figure 12  Thread length and tubing specification

After the tube is coned, threaded and deburred, check for proper thread fit and length with a new collar of the proper size. Note: Remember to flush all tubing prior to installation with a fluid that is compatible with the process fluid being used.

Figure 13 below show the number of turn for each size of tubing.

Figure 13  Number of Turns to Thread Tubing

NOTE: M250C100 and M375C100 used in F312C150 connection at 100,000 psi (6895 bar).

Make sure before starting that everything is correct. Possibly the first cone and the first thread check if it corresponds to its tolerances. The system confuses ideas, especially when there is the same pipe but with different thicknesses.

Assembly and Makeup of Connection

1. Lubricate male threads of the gland with a metal-based thread lubricant.= Slip gland on the tubing as shown and thread collar on tubing until one to two threads are exposed between collar and cone.
2. A small amount of process-tolerable lubricant, such as silicone grease, on the cone tip will help with the sealing process. Insert tubing in connection, engage gland and tighten “fingertight”.
3. Tighten gland with torque wrench to specified values in Figure 14 below. When tightening, the use of an additional wrench is recommended to hold the fitting.

Figure 14 torque range table

Recommendations:

• Clamp the tubing in a soft jaw vice. Do not over-tighten. Slide the threading tool over the tube through the guide bushing.
  
• Apply a medium-weight, high-sulphur cutting oil to the threading area.
• Apply pressure to the top of the threading tool to start the cutting action. The threads are left-handed, so turn the threader counterclockwise to thread the tube. The threading tool may need to be periodically rotated clockwise to break and discharge metal chips. Apply lubricant freely during the threading process.

Note: The lead in chamfer (larger chamfer) on the die flutes toward guide bushing.

Advantages

The comfort of this tool it's really good because all connections can be done on site without electrical power, without any additional transportation, consider also that electrical machine is heavy. The problem if there are many connections, in this case electrical machine is mandatory because only by hands the personel will get tired easily.

 Disadvantages

If there are many connections,it's better to use the electric machine. The manual tool in long term can cause pain on hands and also arms.

Conclusion

• Using the right equipment and tools for the job is the first step in getting the job done safely. If you need information about which autoclave equipment read the manual or ask question a competent person
  
• There are many companies that provide the same features, see HIP, Maxpro, etc. All these companies provide all tools necessary for cone and thread preparation
  
• There are some diameters of tubings as 9/16" which has two different thicknesses or ID. Therefore in addition to the outer diameter should be clarified which is the internal diameter and thickness of the tubing. This confusion could create a serious problem in the future, be careful.
• When working with this type of connection the pressures are really very high, so a good idea is to entrust this work to people with a high level of experience and who know all types of connections perfectly, including the identification thread or cone if are good or bad. Sometimes the manual or electrical machine needs adjustment especially when will work a lot of or the tubing material are very strong, like Inconel. The personnel must know when the cone or thread changes the standard is very important for the replacement of tools.